Clifford Cox, d. April 28, 2013

Wednesday

May 8, 2013 at 10:01 AMMay 8, 2013 at 10:03 AM

A gentle man has died. Clifford Wayne Cox of Camarillo, Calif., passed away peacefully Sunday, April 28, 2013. Cliff was born Oct. 13, 1919, to Lydia Jones Cox and Alva Jake Cox on a farm in Pratt County, Kansas. After graduation from Byers High School, he helped on the farm and delivered Mobil gas to farmers in rural Kansas, including the father of Betty Tompkins, the woman who became his beloved wife of 62 years.

Cliff was drafted into the Army where he proudly served in Panama and in China/Burma/India (CBI) as a first sergeant. After the war he returned to Pratt and began his career in the newspaper business. He was active in the Methodist Men, the Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Commerce), and the Rotary Club.

In October 1961, Cliff and Betty and their children moved to Camarillo, Calif., where he worked for the Camarillo newspaper. Later, as owners of newspapers, Betty and Cliff lived in Montana, Exeter and Fillmore (California), and then returned to Camarillo to retire and to travel the country in their RV.

Cliff could recall every road they traveled and most of the people he met. When asked recently which, among all of his travels, his favorite place was, he replied, "I may not be there yet."

Cliff was dedicated, hardworking, patient, funny, compassionate, and grateful – a man with a wry sense of humor and a quick wit; a man who found joy in small things. He was a fine example of how to live humbly and with integrity, with appreciation and harmony.

One of six siblings, Cliff is survived by his sisters, Lucille Lewis and Elma Faye McMannis and by numerous nieces and nephews.

We are grateful for the loving care that Cliff received while living in Serenity Heights Residential Facility and for the gentle and compassionate care by the Assisted Home Hospice Team. No services are planned. We are all better people for having known him.